Maoris to tour Aust.

Press, 19 August 1978, Page 56

Maoris to tour Aust.

PA Wellington A New Zealand Maori rugby team ha. been invited to tour Australia next year, for the first time in 20 years. And a full All Black side will also play two matches in Australia, one a full-scale test against the Wallabies and the other a warm-up match against Queensland B. These decisions were announced by the New Zealand Rugby Football Union’s Council after a closed session yesterday. The Ail Blacks will thus play three international teams next winter — the Argentinian and French teams, which will both tour New Zealand and the Wallabies in Australia. As in 1976, when the All Blacks toured Argen-

tina, the matches against Argentina next year will not rank as full internationals, although the New Zealanders who play in them will rank as All Blacks.

The All Blacks match against Australia will be played on Saturday, July 28. It will be preceded by a match against Queensland R on July 24. New Zealand Maoris last cured Australia in 1958 and the matches in Australia next year will be part of a seven-match tour of the South Pacific. The itinerary for the Maoris’ tour is. — May 6, v. Queensland; May 9. New South Wales Country; May 12, v. New South Wales; May 16, v. Fiji Colts; May 19, v. Fiji; May 21, v. Western Samoa; May 26, v. Tonga.

The council also decided to reconvene the' special committee which earlier this year reported on the reimbursement of players’ expenses. “In the light of current circumstances,” according to a statement, “the committee will again report to the council.” The committee comprises. in addition to councillors P. J. Gill, R. M. Don and R. W. Thomas, two recent All Black captains, Andy Leslie and Tane Norton. A 40-year-old Christchurch physiotherapist, Mr Brian McKenzie, has been appointed to accompany the All Blacks on their tour of the British Isles later this year. Mr McKenzie was appointed ahead of three other candidates.